Today marks the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter. Growing up, I thought it was kind of silly that we chose to celebrate a chair! It wasn’t until a priest in college took the time to explain this to his students that I finally understood the true importance and meaning of today’s feast.
What It Represents
This chair represents the authority Christ gave to Peter in today’s readings.
“And so, I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.” (MT: 18-19)
Responsibility
Peter was given the greatest responsibility – to help spread our one, universal, Catholic faith. His installation began the succession of Popes throughout the centuries until today. I can’t imagine what it was like to be Peter in that moment. Or if he truly knew what it would mean to be the rock of our Church. We must pray for our Popes, that they will always speak to the truths of our faith. And leave no area up for interpretation.
Leader
The Chair of Saint Peter calls each Pope to keep in mind unity. It also serves as a reminder of the souls He is entrusted with. We, the body of Christ, look to our Pope to lead us. If he wanders off the path of his calling and leads people astray, he will be held accountable. “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (MT:19) Though there have not always been great Popes, nothing will ever shake the truths of our Catholic faith. “The gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (MT:18)
Finally, today, on the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, let us offer our prayers for Pope Francis. And for all popes who will succeed him – that they will always speak to the truths of our faith and lead souls closer to Christ.
